Dr Joseph Sserwadda of Victory Christian Centre has criticised what he described as continued attacks on Born Again churches by government agencies, calling for dialogue instead of enforcement operations.
Sserwadda said some churches in Lubaga and Bujuko had recently been demolished or affected by enforcement operations over allegations including noise pollution, building regulations and compliance with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) requirements.
He said the Born Again community accepts the need for churches to comply with government regulations but questioned what he described as unequal enforcement against religious institutions.
“Yes, we acknowledge that regulations are important, but they should apply to other religions as well. Even traditional shrines continue to enjoy space, whereas we in the mainstream religions continue to be attacked,” Sserwadda said.
He called on the Ministry of Local Government and KCCA to engage church leaders before carrying out enforcement operations.
“I therefore call upon the Ministry of Local Government and Kampala Capital City Authority to create room for dialogue rather than invading churches to the extent of using security during an operation,” he said.
Sserwadda made the remarks during a meeting with Born Again pastors from Kampala and Wakiso.
He urged pastors to remain united and defend their faith while also working with government authorities to address concerns surrounding church operations.
“I personally will not allow individuals who have the intention of fighting the religion,” he said.
Sserwadda, the head of the Born Again Faith (BAF), the umbrella body that brings together Born Again Christians in the country, also pointed to the growing number of Born Again Christians in Uganda, saying the faith has become one of the country’s major religious groups.
The concerns raised by Sserwadda come amid wider efforts by urban authorities to enforce planning, building, environmental and other regulations in Kampala and surrounding urban areas.
Responding to the concerns, Charles Magumba, the commissioner for Urban Administration at the Ministry of Local Government, said the government was willing to engage Born Again leaders to find solutions to the disagreements.
Magumba said the government recognised the concerns raised by the church leaders and was prepared to hold discussions on how issues such as noise pollution could be addressed.
“We shall sit and even halt the operation. We have a cordial relationship with all religious faiths,” Magumba said.
The church leaders, meanwhile, want government agencies to consult them before taking action against churches and to ensure that regulations are applied consistently across religious institutions.
Sserwadda urged pastors to remain calm but firm in defending the interests of the Born Again community, while calling for continued engagement with government authorities.
